NOTICE TO ANGLERS

DFO advises that in 2023, the recreational groundfish fishery will be open for a total of 39 days.

For the 2023 season, there is no requirement for a licence or tags.

Species and Area:

The recreational groundfish fishery will occur in all NAFO areas/subareas around Newfoundland and Labrador, which includes 2GH, 2J3KL, 3Ps, 3Pn and 4R. Three exceptions are the Eastport, Gilbert Bay and Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Areas (MPA) where recreational groundfish fishing will not be permitted.

Season Dates:

Summer Season:

Saturday, July 01, 2023 to Monday, July 03, 2023
Saturday, July 08, 2023 to Monday, July 10, 2023
Saturday, July 15, 2023 to Monday, July 17, 2023
Saturday, July 22, 2023 to Monday, July 24, 2023
Saturday, July 29, 2023 to Monday, July 31, 2023
Saturday, August 05, 2023 to Monday, August 07, 2023
Saturday, August 12, 2023 to Monday, August 14, 2023
Saturday, August 19, 2023 to Monday, August 21, 2023
Saturday, August 26, 2023 to Monday, August 28, 2023
Saturday, September 02, 2023 to Monday, September 04, 2023

Fall Season:

Saturday, September 23, 2023 to Sunday, October 01, 2023. Recreational fishers are limited to five (5) groundfish per day (including Cod). However, the maximum boat limit when three or more people are fishing is 15 groundfish.

Provisions will continue that allow a person with a disability to designate a person to catch their daily limit of groundfish. First time applicants are required to download, complete and have their doctor/ophthalmologist complete a section of the form. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application electronically, via email. Applications received via regular mail may result in delays to processing your application. 

The disability designation form and details on all applicable Management Measures will be available by end of day June 20, 2023 online at Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2023

For 2023, tour boat operators will be eligible to apply for a licence to seek an increased trip limit. This licence will have harvest reporting requirements.

For safety reasons, fishing is only permitted from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. The public is reminded to follow safe boating practices and be aware of local weather and sea conditions before leaving port.

Participants in the recreational groundfish fishery are further reminded to inspect their catch carefully for pink or yellow tags, located on the back of the fish. The tags are uniquely numbered and have a DFO address and reward value ($10 or $100) printed on them. Participants should return the tag along with the location and date of capture, and include their mailing address, to claim the tag reward.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2022-244 and 2022-245 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2023-106 and 2023-107 come into effect on June 21, 2023.

"Notice to Anglers" are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

DFO advises anglers that the season dates for the 2023 Atlantic Salmon recreational fishery are:

Insular Newfoundland - June 1 to September 7, 2023

Labrador - June 15 to September 15, 2023

Management measures include:

- Anglers will be permitted to retain a total of two salmon with a maximum of one salmon on Class 2 rivers.

- A catch and release limit of three fish per day for all scheduled rivers in Newfoundland and Labrador with the exception of Class 0 rivers. On Class 0 rivers anglers are permitted to catch and release a limit of two fish per day.

- The retention of salmon on non-scheduled waters is not permitted.

- The continuation of the multi-faceted Environmental Protocol.

Details on the regulations pertaining to bag limits, river classification, closed areas, and special management areas are contained in the 2023 - 2024 Angler’s Guide which is available online at Anglers' Guide 2023-2024

With the salmon season approaching, we encourage you to check out our short video on best practices for catch and release angling: 

Best practices for catch and release of Atlantic salmon

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2020-076, 2020-077, 2020-078, 2020-079, 2020-080 and 2022-209, have been revoked and Variation Orders 2023-071, 2023-077, 2023-078, 2023-079, 2023-080, and 2023-081 come into effect on May 26, 2023.

"Notices to Anglers" are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like to have all "Notices to Anglers" sent directly to you by email please contact: danielle.nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the 2023 summer Trout season for Zone 1 (insular Newfoundland) opens on May 15, 2023, and will remain open until September 7, 2023.

Special Trout management areas opening on June 1 include Southwest Pond, Otter Pond, Coaker's Steady, Adies Lake, 10 Mile Lake (Northern Peninsula) and Round Lake (Northern Peninsula).

Bag limits and possession limits for insular Newfoundland remain the same: daily bag limit for Trout (includes Speckled trout, Brown trout, Rainbow trout and Ouananiche) is 12 Trout or 2.25 kg + 1 Trout, round weight (which can be a combination of any of the species - Speckled, Brown, Rainbow, Ouananiche); possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.

The 2023-24 Angler's Guide will be available online soon at: Anglers' Guide 2023-2024

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2022-205, 2022-206, 2022-207 and 2022-208 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2023-067, 2023-068, 2023-069 and 2023-070 come into effect on May 10, 2023.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like to have all "Notices to Fish Harvesters" for commercial fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises anglers that the winter trout angling season for Zone 1 (Insular Newfoundland) closes on April 15, 2023. Angling for trout in tidal waters is still permitted. However, the daily bag limit applies.

If you would like to have all "Notices to Anglers" for recreational fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: danielle.nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

DFO reminds anglers that the 2023 Trout and Smelt winter angling seasons in non-scheduled waters throughout Newfoundland and Labrador will open as follows:

Trout season dates:
Zone 1 (Insular Newfoundland) - February 1
Zone 2 (Labrador Straits) - March 1
Zone 3 (Southeastern Labrador) - February 1
Zone 4 (Western Labrador) - February 1
Zone 5 (Central Labrador) - February 1
Zone 6 (Northern Labrador) - February 1

There are exceptions to these dates for Special Trout Management Areas.
Consult the 2022/23 Angler's Guide for specific information on these Special Trout Management Areas.

Daily bag limits:
The daily bag limit for inland and tidal waters of insular Newfoundland for all trout species combined, and for Brook Trout in Labrador, is 12 trout or 2.25 kg plus one fish, whichever is reached first.

In Labrador, the daily bag limit and possession limit for Lake Trout is three fish in Zones 3-6. The daily bag limit for Lake Trout in Zone 2 is two fish, with a four-fish possession limit. The daily bag limit for Arctic Char and Northern Pike is two fish, with a four-fish possession limit. In the Special Trout Management Area of the Eagle Plateau Management Zone, Chateau Pond and Gilbert's Lake the daily bag limit is six Speckled (Brook) Trout or 1.13 kg plus one fish, whichever is reached first, and the possession limit is equal the daily bag limit.

Refer to the Angler's Guide for Special Trout Management Area daily bag limits.

Possession limit:
The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit with the exception of the Special Trout Management Areas, where the possession limit is the daily bag limit.

Angling gear:
While fishing through the ice, anglers are permitted to use three separate lines which must be closely and constantly attended by the angler.

Smelt:
Smelt angling in non-scheduled inland waters of insular Newfoundland and in Labrador are subject to the same season dates as trout angling, with the exception of those ponds that opened January 15, 2023 (refer to the 2022/23 Angler's Guide). There is no bag or possession limit for Smelt, and no bag or possession limit for Whitefish in Labrador.

For a complete list of trout angling information, please consult the 2022-23 Angler's Guide, which is available online at Anglers' Guide 2022-2023

DFO reminds anglers to take precautions before venturing out on the ice or water this season.

DFO advises that the Fisheries Management Decision for the Recreational Trout fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador is available online at Fisheries Management Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2023 

This is a multi-year plan that will come into effect May 15, 2023.  Management measures such as bag limits, possession limits and season dates remain the same and are outlined online at Fisheries Management Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2023

DFO wishes to advise anglers of the management approach for the 2023 Atlantic Salmon recreational fishery. 

Season Dates:

Insular Newfoundland - June 1 to September 7

Labrador - June 15 to September 15

Management Measures:

Anglers will be permitted to retain a total of two salmon, with a maximum of one salmon on Class 2 rivers.

A catch and release limit of three fish per day for all scheduled rivers in Newfoundland and Labrador with the exception of Class 0 rivers. On Class 0 rivers, anglers are permitted to catch and release a maximum of two fish per day.

The retention of salmon on non-scheduled waters is not permitted.

The continuation of the multi-faceted Environmental Protocol.

For additional information, refer to the Fisheries Management Decision online at: Fisheries Management Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2023

Details on the regulations pertaining to retention limits, river classification, closed areas and special management areas are contained in the 2023 - 2024 Angler's Guide which will be available in booklet form or on-line at Anglers' Guide 2023-2024.

DFO reminds anglers of the following Salmon angling season closures:

Insular Newfoundland:

Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14A will close to Salmon angling on September 7, 2022.

Fall catch and release Salmon angling is permitted on the Lower Humber River, Gander River, and Lower Exploits Rivers from September 8, 2022, to October 7, 2022. Retention of Salmon is not permitted.

Catch-and-Release angling as follows:

- main stem of Lower Exploits River, from Stoney Brook to river mouth;

- main stem of Lower Humber River, from Boom Siding (outlet of Deer Lake) to lower end of Shellbird Island;

- main stem of Gander River from outlet on Gander Lake to river mouth.

- Angling not permitted on any tributaries of these rivers;

- Daily catch-and-release bag limit of three Salmon;

Please refer to the Angler's Guide for more detailed information. Anglers' Guide - Salmon

Labrador:

Zones 1, 2, and 14B will close to Salmon angling on September 15, 2022.

Anglers are reminded to complete their Salmon Angling Log. Angling log data is an important tool in the stock assessment process. If you purchased a license and did not fish, it is important to let us know. If you did fish please record your daily angling activity as accurately as possible. Check the appropriate box and submit your form.

The Salmon Angling Log can be found online at Salmon Angling Return Form

Play a part in conserving the resource. Submit your form today.

DFO reminds anglers of the following Trout angling season closures:

- Zone 1 (Insular Newfoundland) closed to Trout angling on September 7, 2022. Brown and Rainbow trout angling in selected areas on the Avalon Peninsula and East Coast areas will continue until October 7, 2022.

- Zones 2 and 4 closed to Trout angling on September 7, 2022.

- Zones 3, 5 and 6 closed to Trout angling on September 15, 2022.

- These closures include the Churchill River Drainage Basin Watershed which closes on September 7, 2022 and the Eagle Plateau Management Zone which closes on September 15, 2022.

For further information visit the 2022 - 2023 Angler's Guide on-line at Anglers' Guide 2023-2024

DFO advises anglers that due to extremely high water temperatures and low water levels, the following river in Zone 5 will be restricted to morning angling only effective one hour after sunset on Wednesday, August 31, 2022.

During this period, angling is permitted from one hour before sunrise to 10:00 am each day and will be closed to angling from 10:01 am to one hour before sunrise on the following day.

This river will reopen as conditions improve. Please refer the 2022 Angler's Guide for further information on the environmental protocol.

Zone 5

#62 *Terra Nova River & tributaries, including Maccles Brook

*indicates river has closed sections (reference Angler's Guide 2022-23)

For more information please visit the In Season River Status website at In-Season River Status or call the Angling Line at 709-772-2045.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2022-195, 2022-196, 2022-197, 2022-198, and 2022-199 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2022-205, 2022-206, 2022-207, 2022-208 and 2022-209 come into effect at 1800 hours on August 31, 2022.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like to have all "Notices to Fish Harvesters" for commercial fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact Karen.Keats-Brett@dfo-mpo.gc.ca